Film positioning device for aerial cameras



Aug. 2, 1932. I A. BRIECHLE 1,870,091

FILM POSITIONING DEVICE FOR AERIAL CAMERAS Filed Jan. 11'. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l l l 25 Y I INVENTOR Q 4 /6 flmfimsz'zzs fined/lie Wm W 7/ ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1932.

Filed Jan. 11, 1932 A. BRIECHLE FILM POSITIONING DEVICE FOR AERIAL CAMERAS- 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y INVENTOR 40 41 571 flmrpszusflnakie wZ'n WW ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1932. A. BRIECHLE 1,870,091

FILM POSfTIONING DEVICE FOR AERIAL CAMERAS Filed Jan. 11, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IllllllIII/1111111111111,

ATTORNEYS,

Aug. 2, 1932.

A; BRIECHLE 1,870,09

FILM POSITIONING DEVICE FOR AERIAL CAMERAS Filed Jan. 11, 1932 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .Brzzkk BY 3 @M/WW ATTORNEYS V 1 device that holds the Patented "Aug; 2, 1932 Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMBROSIUS BRIECHLE, OF YORK; N. Y.,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK,

ASSIGNOR TO FAIRCHILD AERIAL CAMERA FILM POSITIONING DEVICE FOR AERIAL CAMERAS I Application filed January 11 1982. Serial No. 585,819.

This invention relates in general to camera mechanism and more particularly to film positionin devices for aerial cameras. I

An 0 ject of the invention is to provide a camera with positively actuated mechanism for'positioning and maintaining the photographic film at the focal plane and entirely fiat and parallel to and over the exposure opening during ex osureo Another object 1s to provide such a positioning device that will be in positive synchronism with the film feeding and shutter tripping mechanism, and which may be perfectly adaptable for use whether the camera be fully automatic, hand operated or both.

A further object is to provide such a de vice that will be mechanically operated to the exclusion of suction or pressure devices or transparent positioning plates between the shutter which would have a tendency towards distorting the image.

A still further object is to provide such a film fiat and also under uniform tension throughout the length and width of the area over the exposure area while that portion of the film is being exposed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter set forth in the following description and appended claims, certain embodiments thereof being illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in section taken through the magazine of an aerial camera showing the film positioning device.

Figure 2 is a 'VlBV' in section taken through the same magazine .at right angles to that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of film positioning device.

Figure 4 is a view in section taken at right angles to that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification thereof by which the film is placed under tension'in all four directions by two pairs of opposed gripping elements.

Figure 6 is a VleW similar to Figure 2 showare the actual ing the construction of the modified form of- Figure '5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a modification thereof by which the film is placed under tension in all four directions by two pairs of gripping elements.

Figure 8 1s a View in section taken along I line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring more particularly to the draw- ;ings', which generally represent the magazine of the well-known Fairchild aerial'camera magazine of the type patented in United tates patent to Fairchild, No. 1,804,680, May

12, 1931, the present invention deals with the problem of dispensing with the transparent positioning plate and spring operated pressure plate shown respectively at 155 and 157 in Figure 11 of that patent. found that the positioning plate causes cer'- tain light refractions tending to distort the image and further that the contact of the pressure plate and the positioning plate with the film tends to scratch the film and does not insure against the film being'uneven or that it will be flat and under uniform tension during exposure.

in Figure 2 there is shown a s col 1 from which the film 2 is drawn, the lrn passing over idler rolls 3 aud t, thence'over the exposure opening 5 of the camera, which in this instance is shown covered by a dark slide 6: The film then passes over idler rolls 2 and 8 and wound on the storage spool 9.

, The feature with which this invention is primarily concerned is the proper positioning and maintenance of the film over the exposure area during photographic exposure and to insure that the film is of uniform size and is flat and parallel to the plane of ex posure. In order to accomplish this, there areprovided rollers 1Q and 11, which extend in a plane parallel but at right angles to that of the film spools 1 and 9. Theserollers, in

combination with gripping blocks12 and 13,

which contact with, I

elements the film only at predetermined intervals and through any suitable mechanism may be 0 erated to stretch taut, fiat and parallel to the exposure plane 5.

The operating mechanism for causing the It has been the film so that it will e engagement of the film by the roller and gripping block and the film straightening and positioning operations brought about after such engagement, may be under manual or automatic control. While the latter type of control is preferred, for sake of clarity and simp licity, a manual control will be described. igure 1 shows the film in the proper position under tension of the gripping and stretching effect of the members 11 and 12 pulling in the opposite direction outwardly from that in which the members and 13 are pulling. Obviously if a photograph is desired, the dark slide 6 would be removed.

The forces tending to keep the film engaging devices in the position shown in Figure 1 are the result of the position of and the relation of the inter-engaging levers. Under the assumption that a manual control may be used, the push button 14 is shown pushed in causing its shaft 15 by reason of its pin 16 engaging the slot 17 of a lever 18 to effect a counterclockwise rotation of the latter about a-shaft 19 as its stationary pivot. In

tegral with lever 18 is a lever 20 Which carries a pin 21 which is slidable in an elongated slot 22 in the camera frame. This pin also rides in an elongated slot 23 which is formed in the pivotal joining ends of levers 24 and 25 in such amanner as to limit and control the pivoting action of these levers. In this figure representing the above mentioned period of camera operation, these levers are in extended position and the pin 21 has reached the top of the slot 22. The lever 24 has through its pivotal connection 26 to the lever 27 rotated the latter counterclockwise about its stationary pivot 28. The gripping block 13 is carried by an arm mounted on the pivot 28 so as to rotate in unison with the arm 27. The curved arm 29 carrying the roller 10 may either be stationarily mounted or mounted to pivot about 28, such pivot to be limited by the abutment of the stop 32 against the block 33. A spring 31 between the arms 29 and 27 tends to bring the ripping block 13 into engagement with the lm.

The operation of the gripping block 12'and roller 11 is simultaneous with that of block 13 and roller 10 and is brought about through identical means employed in connection with the latter, the reference characters being marked prime accordingly and respectively. As before stated, the positioning and straightening of the film is to take place immediately before the photographlc exposure.

The tripping of the shutter may be brought about by any suitable means but it is important that such means should operate in synchronism with the film positioning device. Merely for purposes of illustration, there is shown in Figure 1 an arm 34 integral with 'arm 20 and carrying a rack 34 to engage with a rack 36, the rotation of which rotates a gear 37, the operation of which may, by any suitable means, cause the tripping of the shutter; This shutter tripping takes place,

take place.

It may be found desirable to have film gripping blocks 39 carried by resilient elements, such as spring steel leaves 38, as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment the film 41 passes over the exposure area and contacts with shoulders 42 of the camera frame. A turn of the control knob 43 rotates the shaft 44 and through means of intermediate levers causes a downward pressure on and a spreading of the spring leaves, the gripping blocks engaging and positioning and stretching the film to a limited degree just prior to the exposure of the film. Figure 3 shows in full lines the relative position of the actuating means when the film is being stretched. The spring leaves are carried by a curved plate 46 which is. pivotally connected at 49 to a lever 47 pivoted to a fixed pivot 48. Lever 47 carries a pin 50 which forms the means of a sliding connection between lever 47 and lever 51, i

which latter rotates about a fixed pivot 52. Lever 51 is of angular construction and is indirectly connected to the arm 45 by means of two universal joints 53 and 54 and a connecting link 55. In order to release the pressure on the leaf springs 38 which exists when the apparatus is in theiposition shown in full lines in Figure 3, the knob 43 may be manually rotated so as to cause the rotation of shaft 44 which moves arm 45 and arm 51 to the position shown in dotted lines. Arm 51 in rotating about its pivot 52 causes adownward pressure on pin 50, causing the lever 47 in its counter clockwise movement about pivot 48 to lift up the gripping blocks away from contact with the film.

As explained in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the operation of the film positioning device should be in proper synchronism with the shutter tripping and film winding and for that purpose a gear 56 may be carried by shaft 44 to rotate therewith and to mesh with gear 57, the rotation of which may operate a shaft 58 leading to any suitable shutter tripping device. While vices are provided for engagingthe film so as to place it under tension longitudinally and laterally.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8 the plate 46, spring 38 and gri ping elements 39 are duplicated so as to operatedby mechanism similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this case, as well as in Figures 3 and 4, the gripping elements 39 are so arranged as to be without the confines of the exposure opening; While the operation of the film p'ositioning and tensioning or straightening devices is under the control of the film feeding mechanism, the tension set up in the film in all four directions is in no other way dependent upon the film feeding mechanism.

Figures 5 and 6 carry out the general arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, with the exthere are provided additional and 61 to grip the film and 7 the rollers 60 and 61 being rotated in op osite directions so as to place the film un er'longitudinal tension. The rotation of these rollers ception that gripping rollers 60 .60 and 61 is brought about simultaneously with the operation of the gripping elements 12 and 13 shown in Figure 1 which cooperthe manual rotationof positionin brought a "ing rotate.

ate with rollers 11 and 10 respectively to put the film under lateral tension. Each of the rollers and 61 may be mounted on a shaft 62 slidably arranged in a recess 63 on a pivoted lever 64 and provided with a spring 65 which providesfor a contact of the roller with the film so that the operation of the mechanism for actuating the roller is against the action of the .spring. This is accomplished automatically by the rotation of the shaft 160 through the meshing of the sectors 35 and 36, causing a rotation of shaft160 and through the meshing of such gears as 161 and 162 rotate shaft 19 and through like gearscause the rotation of shaft 19' which carry rollers 60 and 61. The bevel gear 37 operated by the train of gears shown in Figure 1 meshes with gear 37' to cause shaft 160 to The manual operation is brought about by the same means shown in Figure 1, shaft 19 causing the operation of rollers. 60 and 61 simultaneously with the operation of the gripping blocks and rollers 11, 12 and 13, 10. I

In the event that an automatic aerial camera is employed, .the operation of the film 'device may out and controlled b the automatic operations of'the' film .winding' and shutter setting and trippin a construction is describe in the United States patent to Sherman M. Fairchild, Number 1,804,680, May 12, 1931 (Figure 3), which-is standardwith the Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation, for the synchronism of film winding devices with those for operata film positioning and pressure plate. that either of the present It is sufiicient to say Figures 1 and 3, or

modificationsshown in thereby so as be automatically devices. Such others of other similar form and purpose may be so related to the construction shown 1n 1 and maintaining said film flat and parallel to the exposure plane immediately prior to and during the complete photographic exposure,

unwindin to releasa'ly engage said fil the latter under tension in all in a plane parallel to the-exposure plane.

film spools and devices adapted so as to place 2. In a film camera, means for positioning and maintaining said film fiat and parallel to the exposure plane immediately prior to. and during the complete photographic exposure, said means including winding and unwinding film spools and also devices which latter are adapted to releasably grip said film and place said film under tension in all directions within a plane parallel to the exposure' plane.

3. In a film camer having film advancing and shutter operating devices, means for positioning and maintaining said film fiat and parallel to the exposure plane immediately prior to and during the complete photographic exposure, said means including winding and unwinding film spools and also gripping devices which latter are adapted to releasably engage said film and place'said film under tension in all directions solely within a plane parallel to the exposure plane,

means for operating said gripplng dev ces.

said operating means being connected to said film winding and shutter operating devices by operating elements and being controlled to preclude deviation froma predetermined sequence of operation of said camera. I T

4. In a film camera, means for positioning and maintaining said film flat and parallel to the exposure plane, said means comprising film winding and unwinding spools for advancing the. film and also .mechanical means for releasably grippingsaid film and placing the same under tension in all directions within a plane parallel to the exposure plane.

; 5. In a film camera, means for positioning and maintaining said film flat and parallel to the exposure plane, said means comprising film winding and unwinding spools for advancing the film and also mechanical means for releasably gripping said m and placing the same under tension, named means comprising a pair of opposed gripping elements and rollers adapted to be the rotation of shaft 160 and consesaid means including winding and said last 'rections with- Y l l l cojointly operated to be forced in opposite directions by a single control medium.

6. In an aerial film camera, means for positioning and maintaining said film fiat 5 and parallel to the exposure plane immediately prior to and during the complete photographic exposure, said means including film winding and unwinding spools for advancing the film and also mechanical means for gripping said film and placing the same under tension, connecting elements between said positioning means and said film winding means so that the operation of said positioning means is under the control of said film winding means.

7. .In an aerial film camera, 'means for positioning and maintaining said film flat and parallel to the exposure plane immediately prior to and during the complete photographic exposure, said means includin film winding and unwinding spools for a vancing the film and also mechanical means for gripping said film and placing the same under tension in all directions within a plane parallel to the exposure plane, connecting elements between said positioning means and said film winding means so that the operation of said positioning means is under the control of said film winding means, said positioning means comprising opposed gripping elements and rollers adapted to be cojointly operated by a single control medium so as to be forced in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 30th day of December, 1931.

AMBROSIUS BRIEOHLE. 

